A messy dinner

Tonight Delaney refused to eat, I was trying to feed her because she had on a nice outfit.  The first bite she hit out of my hand and it went on it, we took it off, I tried again, she is turning her head, refusing to eat, but then pointing at it wanting it.  I gave it to her and she dug in as happy as can be.  Blake will still let me feed him if I let him, Delaney doesn't like it.

 We said our prayer...

 She had to be reminded to close her eyes, she really did try...

 And then finished the meal.  We went straight to the sink, I have a great picture of her naked head to toe covered in ABC's.  Blake was finding letters she dropped on her and the floor.  It was funny.

Notice in the back the garden inside is started over.  We are growing flowers this time.  Below is a picture of Blake eating and loving I might add, the carrots he helped pick and prepare from the outside garden.

Sweet, sweet boy

There is something about a mom and son's bond.  I have felt this from the moment I laid eyes on him and it grows stronger and stronger everyday.  Two things that make that bond stronger are snuggle time and reading together, which go hand in hand many times.  Last night he asked me to take him upstairs to go to bed, Kevin usually does this out of habit.  That made my heart melt.  He likes nothing better than to make me happy.

Tonight Delaney went to bed a little early, so we went on upstairs and had 45 minutes to read books.  I pulled out some of my favorites (paper back ones that are 15 minutes or more to read) that we haven't read before and he loved them, he listened to every word and would have listened to many more all night.  Curious George is his favorite right now.  We read the Bernstein Bears tonight, Down by the Cool of the Pool, The Feelings Book, and others.  I think he'll be ready for a chapter book by 3.  I can't wait!  I don't have a picture of us snuggling, but this is a sweet one of him and daddy.  He likes for us to climb in bed with him for a few seconds when we go in to get him up.  He won't climb out of his bed until we are in the room with him.  He's such a good, sweet, sweet boy!!!

Sleepy girl

For months and months Delaney had a hard time sleeping, I didn't sleep a full night until she was over 9 months.  I nursed her and was still nursing her 2-3 times a night for a long time because she went to sleep so easily with that to help.  I finally gave it 3 nights, she cried and cried, 3 hours at one point, but after 3 nights she slept and I slept and we were both so much happier!  Now I miss those days of nursing her to sleep, holding her with those droopy eyes, and limp body.  I love the feel of a sleepy baby.  Now I get to see her like that every now and then.  Here, falling asleep in the car she has that stare, they call it the 7 mile stare because that is what it looks like.  It was a cue a while back when I was trying to do anything and find any cue to get her down.  She still does this, rubs her ear, and yawns.  Today it was so sweet, after a playdate with Taylor Warren, Eliza, and Jackson Collins she was so tired.  She actually went into her room and turned on her sound machine, I said to come back in the den, we were trying to settle down for nap, and she brought her blanket that she sleeps with in with her.  When I stood up she started back to her room and climbed in the big chair with a book and signed please.  Wow, she's asking to go to sleep, we have come a long way.  I read to her and put on a sleep sack (more to keep her form being able to climb out of the crib), sing and say prayers while holding her, she turns off her light and I lay her down, usually scratching her back for another verse of her "night night song".  I shut the door and she'll talk/sing for about 2-15 minutes and then fall asleep on her own. Teaching her to do this was the best thing I could ever have done.

Memorial Day events

 Another QCP party to celebrate Memorial Day weekend.  We had all the kids togehter in our back yard to play in water.  It was a full house.  Jackson and Eliza Collins, Riley Fisher, Callie Cason, Peyton Wyatt, Becker Smith, Coalson and Peyton Williams, Stella DiEduardo, Mirim Ghent, and Blake and Delaney all played for hours.

 We had a pot luck dinner together.  Kevin boiled oysters and grilled wings, other neighbors stopped by too and we enjoyed adult time into the night including laughs on the porch and a great game of Baggo.

 At the end of the night we threw them all into the tub tried to clean all the dirt off.  The water was quite dirty at the end, I am not real sure they stayed clean.  But it sure was fun.

 On Sunday, after Delaney's 3.5 hour nap, we went over to David and Pam's house for a family fun afternoon.  Dad taught the kids how to play Pac Mac and Taylor and Harrison served up the ice cream.  The burgers and dogs were a perfect touch to the day, but the best part was being with family.

Another birthday party!

We are so lucky to have birthday parties to go to often.  We love the cake and singing part especially!  Today we went to Peyton Wyatt's at the Cherry Park playground.  The kids loved the playground equipment...

 ...the swings, yes they are swinging together, and loved it, another one of those things that is great to have a sibling for!

 ...climbing on the rock, i remember these when I was little, and I loved it too, I bet I climbed on this same one!

 ...and the presents.  We had to leave to get lunch and go down for a nap before the cupcakes, but Gretchen brought us one later that day and they loved that too of course!

A bond I will never know

Blake and Delaney have this sibling bond as I've mentioned before.  I love it!  I love to watch them grow together, learn from each other, love each other, and make each other laugh.  They are best friends.  I am so glad that God allowed me to have them so close in age

 They love sitting in the red chair together, Blake is teaching her a passion for books.  After the tornado warning I decided to put some pillows and blankets in the bathroom where we would have to go in case of an actual tornado to be ready.  They were still there the next day and who would have known how popular the bathtub would be!  Delaney ran and jumped in it all day, if I didn't see her I would go and look and she was in it almost upside down from jumping in just smiling at me in the dark room.  Blake enjoyed reading books in it. 

 Everything outside is fun for both of them.  Sidewalk chalk and water are two of the top things!  Delaney was the one to jump into this puddle first and encouraged Blake and Callie to join her.  It was a fun spur of the moment water play!

Adoption is a beautiful thing

We were so blessed to find SPAFA, a group in Charlotte, that supported us through our journey with Blake.  Susan Smith was one of the first people I met there and she had a little baby herself, Cooper.  Blake was only a month old at the time we met so the boys are close in age.  We became friends not long after that when she invited me to come to a RESOLVE meeting (infertility support group).  I became pregnant and she got word that she would be a mother to twins on the way in FL.  Her girls, Emily and Isabella, are only 3 months older than Delaney.  We have so much fun getting the kids together for a play date.  They have come to us a few times the past year and we went up to visit them in Weddington today.  It was a little crazy with 5 kids under 3 all together, but lots of fun!  Too bad we don't live closer.  I am grateful to Susan's friendship, she has led me through many difficult times, we have cried together and laughed together.  Infertility, adoption, and being a mom are all come with strong emotions and need support, I am so glad to have her.

A fun-filled Thursday

We ahd a busy, busy day yesterday, but full of fun!  I believe the kids knew it was going to be exciting, so they slept in until 7:15, Blake (usually 6:30-6:45), and 7:30 for Delaney (usually 6:05-6:15).
After Blake fed Delaney breakfast we headed over to play with Pam and Coalson for an hour before we took Blake to school for his last day of preschool.
Delaney and I came home and went for a walk, followed by a much needed shower and then off we went to visit McCord and Sara Redmond.  Delaney and McCord only about 5 months apart, so they had fun watching each other play and interacting some.  I love going to the Redmond's house, it's so beautiful and always decorated to perfection!  I hate they are selling it, but I'm sure the next will be even more beautiful!
After picking Blake up a little late we hurried home to eat our not typical lunch (usually PB&J and yogurt) pasta and fruit.  Both kids had a tough time falling asleep for their naps after lunch, but eventually did and slept about 2 hours.
I got them changed and packed up and off we went to run an errand for work and to the Children's Museum.  They played for a little over an hour on everything, they have such a good time there.
Next we went to Peyton's baseball game.  They love to play with Coalson and watch Peyton play.  They run around in front of the bleachers and down to the grassy area by out field.  They have a blast there, we just usually can't go to many due to the time they are played.
At 5:30 we went to Kevin's school to watch an art's show outside with music and dancing, we had a picnic with PBJ and chicken salad.  It was a bit tough keeping them sitting and eating, but they enjoyed it.
Kevin had to go to meet a friend afterwards so I loaded the kids up and headed home.  We unpacked the bag and jumped in the bath.  They love bath time and especially playing together.  Delaney went down about 7:25 with the help of Blake reading her books with me and singing her to sleep.
Blake and I sat in the recliner and talked about the day, yes, we had a pretty good conversation, it was so nice, he's such a big boy now!  He went down about 7:45 and I cam down to clean up, Kevin came home and we watch a little tv and did some office work.
At 9:30 I was ready to go to bed, I was about to fall asleep finally from my exhusting day at 10 when I heard the sirens go off.  Ahhhh!  We turned on the tv to see there were tornado warnings, so we got the downstairs bathroom set up, grabbed our phones, flashlights, and watched the storm path for a little while. Once we knew we were in the clear I finally fell asleep.
What a wonderful and fun-filled day!

My two blessings from God

Dear God,
I offer you delight and gratitude for my family.  I thank you for my children.  I feel so honored that you trust me with two of your most precious miracles.  You gave me two of your children to borrow for their human years to teach, love, and guide them.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  I love, love, love them and promise to do my best to teach them how to live by showing your love to everyone.  I know you will never give me more than I can handle, I have faith if you to help me through each day. Blake and Delaney are such blessings and I promise to remember this everyday of my life.  Thank you for the most wonderful gifts in the world!
Amen

Strawberries

We got strawberries from the garden finally.  Unfortunately 90 degree weather makes them "done", so I think these are the only ones we will have.

An afternoon with friends

We went to Eliza Collins' baptism at their church this morning.  Afterwards we put the kids down for a nap and I went to the Collins' house for a beautiful brunch put together by Jessica.  She is such a wonderful hostess.  The kids came over when they woke up and we headed to the pull for some splashing around with the kids.  They loved it and the adults enjoyed good company.

A few pictures on a hot Sunday morning.

A Sunday morning, we all looked pretty, thought we'd take a few pictures before church in the park, it was hot and the kids wanted their snack, we got a couple, but after about 100 shots.  They have to be in the mood.A 

 The bow is starting to stay in more, but when she's done, she's done!

Delaney LOVES picking flowers, she thinks you can blow on all of them, but she just spits on them.  Funny.  She collects them and gives them away.  Blake looks great in brown, I love this shirt on him.

A few favorite activities

I know our "favorite" activities are going to change all the time, probably every month, but right now, these are a few:

Finger painting (making handprints)

bubbles (Delaney says it)

coloring (eating the crayons)

climbing on mommy, daddy, or each other when lying on the floor

pretending we are asleep on a pillow on the floor and saying, "wake up"

singing, especially ABC Song right now

listening to Elmo in the car (it's amazing how quiet they are)

Museums, the beach, Children's and Regular one in York County

snacks!

giving hugs, Delaney especially

Blake loves to drink "daddy's drink", mommy only drinks water, Delaney always wants it

playing anything outside

counting (he and a friend at school count every other number up to 30, cute)

cleaning, Delaney cleans up everything, wipes floor, sweeps, etc.

balls, dribbling, shooting, rolling, kicking (both of them), etc.

cheerios, snack cups, goldfish, carbs, pizza, pb&j

going "bye-bye", they'll go get their shoes and want to go by 8:30am

playing on the playset or a playground

getting wet

sidewalk chalk

the sandbox, Delaney especially

helping daddy, Blake mostly

planting things and helping in the yard

school buses

boats

trucks

getting the car washed, Blake wants to everytime we're out, even if it's raining

chasing each other or us chasing them around the house

feeding Mac or talking about him

looking at pictures and videos of themselves on my iPhone or computer

watching the Wheels on the Bus ap

A "work" day

The kids left with Kevin this morning about 9:30 for a day in Columbia with their grandparents, which I hear they had a GREAT day!!  So with 11 hours to myself I headed out the door to work.  I had day at the office and accomplished so much.  I wasn't rushing keeping an eye on the clock to make sure I wasn't late to relieve a baby-sitter or pick up Blake.  I actually did my work and only focused on that.  I was able to catch up on so much at the office and feel so much better about being home with my kids during the week. My office "to do" list isn't quite so long.  It's amazing though, after a 9 hour day at the office I have so much more energy then a full day with the kids!  It was such a break! I got to go to the bathroom when I wanted without "help", I ran to the store ALONE on my way home, and I even got to eat lunch by my self!  Fun!  I did miss them though...

Oakland Day School

Blake has had a wonderful year at preschool this year.  He has some wonderful new freinds and great teachers.  Kevin got to go watch his group time yesterday and I went today.  Of course he didn't "perform" for us, but they said he's does great at it all other days.  They sang songs, pointed to body parts, did the weather, counted, danced, and then had snack.  He wasn't scared about that part, he went right to his seat.  He was the last one there too.  He sucks all his food still, he has a hard time remembering to chew with his teeth, we're working on it though.  Ms. Jennifer and Ms. Leane were wonderful this year with him.  He loves going to school and is always doing things at home that I know I haven't taught him and I don't even think to teach him.  I'm so glad I sent him, even at this early age, it's the best thing I could have done for him.  I can't wait for Delaney to start next year.  She is always wanting to stay and play with him in his class, she'll fit right in next year.  I am so glad they will be her teachers too.